It cannot be denied that the Ministry of Education, Guyana Teachers’ Union Annual Athletics, Swimming and Cycling Championships is a signature sport event that must be organised and carried out with the greatest success.

The 2008 Schools’ National Championships was indeed disgraceful. The President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union was running and shouting for help as he was threatened and the event ended as a total failure.

The Championships ended with no one prepared to accept the results. Hence, after all the cheating and the ruckus behaviour, nothing but shame and disgrace was achieved.

Synergies
The required success of this schools’ Championships programme necessitates that the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the National Sports Commission, Guyana Swimming Association, Guyana Cycling Federation and the Guyana Athletic Association work together, to organise and run-off the activity.

Over the years it has become crystal clear that the GTU is reluctant to allow anyone but themselves to run the show.

Imagine they failed to involve the National Sports Associations to utilise their technical persons to assist in running off the events. For example, in cycling ten out of the twenty-two cyclists failed to turn up at the starters’ line without helmets. Hence, they could not participate in the event.

There was no correct measurement of the distance and the events took place just for the show to take place.

On the first day some districts were complaining bitterly about accommodation and the interior districts were made to travel to the event under difficult circumstances. Poor water supply, cramped conditions and “smelly” toilets were only few of the constraints that our students had to brave.

At the end of the first day there was serious dissatisfaction. On Day Two the Opening Ceremony was a disastrous event and several districts chose to be elsewhere even when the officials were speaking. Many of the judges were not acquainted with the rules and regulations and they were not being impartial in their decisions. Throughout the championships there was uneasiness. The stress level was too much and it was not surprising that towards the end the President of the GTU had to beg for shelter.

The 2009, Championships if run in the same manner as in 2008 is destined for chaos and numerous problems.

Recommendations
For the year 2010 which will be the 50th Anniversary of the Championships, we must set-up a National Secretariat to plan, organise and run-off the Championships.

The National Schools’ athletics, cycling and swimming championships must have a National Secretariat with a Chairperson, Secretary, Finance Officer, Public Relations Officer, Marketing Officer, Competition/Operational Officer and a Health and Athlete Relation Officer.

Further, it is imperative that the National Secretariat consist of persons from the following Stakeholders; Guyana Teachers Union, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ministry of Health and the three National Associations.

Such a functioning Secretariat must put together a Management committee which will work along with a local organising Committee. There must be definite periods for Inter-house, Inter-school, Inter Branch and National Championships.

Selection and participation at the National level must be done on the basis of qualifying time. It is not acceptable to allow hundreds of students to turn-up at the Championship knowing very well that they will never cope with the event. Rules and Regulations governing Track and Field, Cycling and Swimming internationally must be implemented at the Championships.

Reporting:
At the end of the Championships the Management Committee must submit to the Secretariat a full report.

The LOC for the Championship must give a comprehensive report on the various disciplines, including records and recommendations for further development.

There must be a hospitality/accommodation report, Meals, First Aid and other services. There must be a financial statement. The financial statement must be audited as well as a report on equipment acquired for staging the championships.

Before the Games there must be a proper Budget. The Budget must be realistic and at the end of the event there must be a reasonable evaluation so that we could have a greater appreciation of working together for the development of sport in this country.

Our students are our greatest assets. Hence, it is imperative that we set high standards, maintain discipline so that our young people will grow up in a friendly environment where they must be willing to work, play and appreciate winning and defeat in good faith.